Vapor condensing apparatus



May 24, 1932. E. F. RIES VAPOR CONDENSING APPARATUS Filed May 7, 1928 Lew/25b1- Ja a/7'66 O of over fifty feet.

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Patented May 24, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD F. RIES, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS VAPOR CONDENSING APPARATUS Application filed May 7, 1928. Serial No. 275,780.

My invention relates to the means of storing oil in large quantities, and more particularly to a device for automatically condensing the gas, generated at the top of a closed storage tank.

In the storage of refined and crude oil preparatory to further disposition, large circular sealed tanks are employed, having a diameter of over one hundred feet and a height The tanks are usually constructed of metal sheets, and with a roof sloping to the sides.

Although these metal storage tanks are frequently painted a lightcolor to reflect the sun rays, yet, on a warm day the temperature of the oil at the top of the tank has been found to be more than 130 while-the oil at the bottom is lower than 80.

The result of this abnormal temperature is the expansion of the oil in the tank, as well as an active vaporization at the surface. When the tank cools off, the oil will assume a normal displacement, and air must be readmitted to the top to prevent a partial This daily expansion and cooling of the liquid and vaporization at the surface, is usually taken care of by means of a screened vent on the top of the tank. This vent permits the ready escape of the highly volatile 50 generated at the surface, and permits the entrance of cool air when expansion ceases. However, although the vent serves the purpose of preventing a high pressure or an explosion within the tank, yet it permits the escape of considerable oil in a gaseous state.

The loss of oil in this way has been estimated at $5,000 per year for the usual tank.

Thus it is seen that the loss of oil through the vent in a gaseous state amounts to con- :to siderable, and no means has yet been devised disclosed. The expedient is simple yet highly etlicient, and has been successfully demonstrated.

The invention herein disclosed is a means of saving a large percentage of the vapor formed at the surface of the liquid and the result is accomplished automatically and satisfactorily. Use is made of the difference n1 temperature of the liquid at the top and bottom of the tank, the cooler liquid at the bottom being utilized to cool the vapor and pipe or bleeder and a storage tank, and then an upwardly extending vent pipe, from the condenser terminating above the roof, and having the usual safety devices.

By the use of this apparatus, it is seen that oil vapors, instead of passing directly out through the escape vent, and being lost in the air, Will be forced, by the slight pressure generated in the open space at the top of the tank, downward and through the condensing pipes before being permitted to escape. By this circuitous route, and the effect of the cooler oil at the bottom, a very large proportion of the vapor is condensed, and only a very small amount of gas will escape, depending on the temperature at the bottom.

Inasmuch as there are no valves in the conduits, the entire system is always at atmospheric pressure, thus permitting a reversal of air passage with any change in tank temperature.

A further advantage of this construction is that notwithstanding the atmospheric pressure and ready escape of the air within the tank, yet, by reason of the various pipes and the length thereof, the danger of fire following through to the top of the tank is negligible.

. The invention herein contemplated will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of an oil storage tank with my construction installed therein;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the lines 33 of Fig. 1; and.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the condensing pipes in the bottom of the tank taken on lines 41- 1 of Fig. 1.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that I have provided the usual sealed, metal clad tank, 10, having asloping roof 11. In the center of the tank,.I provide the C0111 duit 12, projecting almost to the point of the roof, above any possible level of the oil. The center pipe 12 is.connected at its lower end to the header 13. The various condenser pipes-14- are connected to the header 13' throughv the various elbows 15. The condenser pipes are connected through the elbows 16 to another or outer header-17, which is-located at. a point lower than the inner header 13 for drainage purposes. he supports 18, 19, 20 support the apparatus at suitablepoints. A. vent conduit21 is. secured to the top of the lower header 17 and terminates in the cap and screen arrangement 22 above the roof of thetank. The bleeder 23 is connected to the lowermost point ofthe header 17. andserves as a discharge pipe from the condensingcoils into the'discharge storage tank 24.. A suitable pipe 25 is provided for emptying the tank. 24 when desired.

Thus it is seenthat thewdevice of my inventionaccomplishes a very desirable and economical result at no labor effort whatever, and is entirely automatic and eflicient;

Bylocatingthe condensing pipes as close to the bottom as possible and. asncar the cen-. ter of the tank as possible, thecoolest position. in the tank is obtainedand full-value delrived. from the surrounding relatively cool 01 It is also evidentthatif this device is installed in each oneofa battery of tanks, the danger from explosions or fire caused by the large quantities of free gas, is greatly reduced.

Inasmuch asmy invention utilizes the temperature oftheoil at the bottom of the tank, it isobvious that the. degree of condensation is variable, and I do not contemplate reaching a state of perfect condensation except as herein stated and described.

Obviously modifications and variationsare possible-within the skill of the mechanic and I 'do not wish to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described the combination with a sealed tank, of a vapor condenser located within and near the bottom of saidtank, and an outside escape vent connected to said condensing means.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a sealed oil tank, of a condenser for condensing the vapor generated above the top of the tank, said condenser being located within and near the bottom of the tank, storage means for the condensed liquid, and an outside escapeconduit, connected to said condenser.

3. In vapor condensing means, the combination with a sealed oil tank of a vapor conduitya condenser located within and near the bottom of said tank a storage tank for the condensed liquid and a vertically disposed vapor escape conduit terminating above the roof ofsaid tank, said conduits and saidcondenser being operatively connected.

1.- Invapor: condensing means the combination with av sealed oil tank, of a substantially U shaped vapor conduit, said conduit eX- tending from the vapor space inside the tank to the outside of the tank, and a condenser within and near the bottom of said tank in .said vapor conduit line.

5. In vapor condensing means the combination with a sealed oil tank, of a substantially U shaped vapor conduit, said conduit extending from the vapor space inside the tank to the outside of the tank, a condenser withinzand near the bottom of said tank in said vapor conduit line and a storage tank for said condensed vapor.

6. Means for controlling the vapor pressure in sealed oil tanks, which consists in providing a substantially U shaped vapor conduitextending from the vapor space inside the tank. to the bottom thereof and then upwards to the outside of the tank, a condenser communicating with the vapor conduit within and near the bottom of the tank, and a storage-tank for the condensed liquid.

7. In a sealed oil tank containing relatively .warm and cold oil at the top and bottom. thereof, the means of condensing the vapor generated at the top of the tank, which consists inn providing a conduit opening above the liquid level in said tank, a condenser'connected to said conduit at a point within and near the bottom of said tank, a storage tank for said condensed vapor, and a conduit connected to said condenser and opening on the outside of said tank.

8. Thejcombination of a vapor tight tank, a conduit terminatingat a point above the liquid level of the tank. a condenser connected-to said conduit and located within the limits of the tank at a point near the bottom thereof, and means providing an escape vent from the condenser to a point outside the tank.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature.

'EDWARD F. RIES. 

